Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Voluntary Quadriceps Activation in Healthy Amateur Female Athletes

Abstract

Introduction: Compared with professionals and semi-professionals, amateur athletes need more strengthening modalities due to their lower muscle strength, as well as limited facilities and time. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a sensory-targeted modality traditionally used to treat pain, but it is also one of the most successful methods for increasing muscle activation level, too. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 sportswomen in basketball, volleyball, futsal, football, and taekwondo with the Mean±SD age of 23.5±3.6 years were randomly divided into two groups: intervention (n=15) and control (n=15). In the intervention group, a single session of TENS with a frequency of 150 Hz and pulse duration of 150 µs was applied for 20 minutes. The control group received placebo TENS. Isokinetic dynamometer and vertical jump test were used to assess quadriceps activation and strength. All samples were evaluated at three different time intervals: before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the intervention. Results: The mean maximal voluntary isometric contraction, central activation ratio, and height of jumping in the TENS and control group were not significantly different immediately and 30 minutes after the intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, a single session of TENS cannot immediately improve quadriceps activation and strength in amateur female athletes.

Keywords

• Electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Quadriceps
• Voluntary muscle activation
• Amateur athlete